Wednesday, May 18, 2011

We're taking bets that times are a changing...

Here are a few of my observations and rants from the last few days.

* It is really nice when you get to have some one on one time with a grandparent. My grandfather and I spent most of yesterday together. He talked to me about his childhood, meeting my grandmother (whom I never met because she died 10 months before I was born), the birth of my father, meeting Errol Flynn, and going temporarily AWOL from the Air Force during WWII. It made me realize that I have never really had alone time with him, but rather it was always a family gathering. With the exception of his eyes and reluctance to always take his medicine he is in pretty good health (He's 85ish). I am lucky to have him still in my life. He talked a lot about needing to stay positive in life and being grateful for what you have. This was exactly the conversation I needed and know it will keep me going for quite a while.

* While I was having lunch at Friendly's with my grandfather I noticed three women eating lunch at the table next to us. They looked like colleagues, but also friends. They spent 75 to 80% of the time using their cell phones to text, check e-mails, play games and avoid each other. I am disgusted that we have reached this point in our society. I know technology is cool, but what about face to face time. Is it really going away? If I had a smart phone I probably never would have had such a great conversation with my grandfather. We are losing the ability to communicate face to face. It's amazing because a lot of times people don't even try to confront issues anymore they just avoid them by cutting off people using their technology. Something needs to change because our society is going to become worse for it.

* It is amazing how much you can be affected by bad weather. I feel like this rain is never going to end and the sun will never come out. It is nothing that has happened along the Mississippi River and in Louisiana, but it makes me tired. Annie sang that, "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" but she really is just a liar. Of course I am sure with a certain person's pact with the devil it will be gorgeous on Sunday. Not that I want it to rain for all of my favorite's but their luck is amazing.

* Here is a list of the movies I plan on seeing this summer with Ian and/or Theresa:
Thor (Seen)
Bridesmaids (Seen)
Pirates of the Caribbean 4
Hangover 2
Kung Fu Panda 2
X-Men: First Class
Super 8
Green Lantern
Bad Teacher
Cars 2
Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon
Larry Crowne
Zookeeper
Horrible Bosses
Harry Potter 7 pt. 2
Captain America: The First Avenger
Friends with Benefits
Cowboys vs. Aliens
Crazy, Stupid, Love
The Help
30 Minutes or Less
One Day

Care to join me/us?

Sunday, May 15, 2011

WTBT Volume 28, Series 2011...

We're taking bets that...

* Seasons come and go, but I will never change and I’m on my way," are really cool lyrics.
* the Memphis Grizzlies were not prepared for Game 7, but they will be in the conference finals soon.
* the flooding of the Mississippi River sounds like the scariest thing possible for Cajun country.
* I wonder what pro-life activists think about deer birth control.
* I would be surprised if Newt Gingrich is a viable presidential candidate, but stranger things have happened.
* in honor of Murray Handwerker you should have a hot dog this week.
* his name sounds like a male prostitute or gay porn star.
* the IMF chief is in a heap of trouble and I am not sure his French presidential campaign is going to survive.
* it's nice that an ass can retire to Nebraska and become a citizen. No really.
* even though Thor beat Bridesmaids at the box office it still was the best movie of the year so far.
* Ashton Kutcher might actually make Two and a half Men watchable.
* you don't know what movie this line is from, "I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should listen.
* Tomas Kaberle might be the worst defenseman that the Bruins have ever had.
* this wouldn't have happened if they had a beer closet.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

We're taking bets that I want you to want me...

So I heard from two more schools this week that they were not going to continue to pursue my job candidacy. Sadly I have not been applying to jobs just in higher education, but I have also applied to about 75 non-higher ed jobs. At least most colleges and universities contact you some way or another. Not in other places.It is starting to get downright discouraging. I have been keeping my head up for 10 1/2 months, but I feel like dropping it. Now I can already hear what most people I know are going to say:

"It will work out soon."
"Everything happens for a reason."
"They're fools if they don't want to work with you."
"It's their loss."
"You'll find something. You just have to be patient."
"It will be alright."
"You are an idiot to have left your job in this economy. What were you thinking?"(Okay no one has actually said that, but they think it.)

I do really appreciate it, but it is starting to get real old. I just don't get it. I am a very hard worker. I am intelligent, sometimes charismatic, thoughtful, and a little bit funny. I was very good at my job. I understand college students and they appreciate my willingness to listen. Heck parents even like me for the most part. I am creative and have been on the forefront of many technology advances in student affairs. I am willing to learn, take criticism, keep up with the latest in higher education and strive to be better every single day. I know the right answers when I interview. I would be a very good supervisor for professional staff. I finally have my master's degree and I know it took forever, but I liked being a Hall Director. I know I am outspoken at times, but I think we always need to challenge each other. I don't always have the cleanest office, but I work on it. I know I can be a little arrogant at times because I know I am good at what I do. I am not perfect by any means, but I would work my tail off for anyone that would give me the opportunity. I just need to get a chance.

I am starting to understand how people turn to negative vices in these trying times. Thankfully I have a great support system starting with Theresa, my family and Ian. I know that things will get better. It's time for the pity party to end. Some fun times tonight, Tuesday and Thursday at midnight will make things better. Thanks for indulging my need to get things off my chest. I appreciate every one who cares about me and reads this blog. Thanks. Every minute can be a new beginning and mine starts now.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

WTBT Volume 28, Series 2011...

We're taking bets that...

* sometimes being who you are just gets you in trouble.
* Tiger Woods may never win another major championship.
* Big Papi's video with Yankees fans is fun and funny.
* John Stewart will be awesome in his debate with Bill O'Reilly on Monday.
* the far left and the far right scare me and this group is one of the reasons why.
* it might actually be the Bruins time to win the Stanley Cup.
* I am amazed that the Shelton school system is still not letting that kid go to the prom.
* this incident seems like it was brought to you by the Colors of Benetton.
* you can't get much older than my previous reference.
* if you want to laugh before you see Hangover 2 you have to see Bridesmaids.
* Melissa McCarthy is my new favorite funny person.
* my parents need a cool name for their new boat. Any ideas?

Monday, May 09, 2011

WTBT Volume 27, Series 2011...

We're taking bets that...

* sometimes you feel like a blogger, sometimes you don't.
* now that I can only get AM in my car and basically only hear the Yankees games I have decided they have the worst radio announcers ever.
* it is sad that there are people that make me hate them because of their stupidity and bigotry like Alan Chambers.
*I am proud to be a huge Disney fan even though they probably do something wrong to make a buck.
* now that the Red Sox are finally starting to hit I think they will ascend to the top of the AL East.
* Beyonce's new song isn't as great as I thought it would be.
* currently the biggest punk in the NBA is Andrew Bynum and I would be hard pressed to change my mind.
* Tina Fey on SNL this week was kind of disappointing.
* although many people have made shots like this Rafael Nadal's was pretty damn cool.
* you probably didn't notice that happened at the Madrid Open.
* I think that Donald Trump would be awesome to see in a Republican presidential candidate debate at least once.
* "Do you want to see my alligator?" is a pretty creepy pick-up line.
* it is nice to know the LA Lakers are going to be in the middle of the pack for the next few years.

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

We're taking bets that I am a good reader...

So here are the books I have read over the last 6 weeks. I hope you enjoy my reviews. I am back to blogging. Back to having my opinion heard again.

Race Matters by Cornell West
* What a great book on race relations. Cornell West is an extremely interesting man and I think I would of loved to have been a student of his. If you are interested in diversity specifically pertaining towards race then you should read this book.

The Last Apprentice: The Curse of the Bane by Joseph Delaney
* The second book of the Last Apprentice series. They are very entertaining and the villain in this book is quite interesting. If you have kids 10 to 13 they will probably like this series.

Keep Going: The Art of Perserverance by Joseph M. Marshall III
* A nice book on keeping your chin up when things knock you down. Told through the tales of Native Americans it is a great read about leadership.

DIY U by Anya Kamenetz
* This is a must read for anyone in higher education today. It discusses the history of higher education as it relates to today. It is amazing how quickly education is changing and how different college life will be in the next 25 to 30 years.

Bossypants by Tina Fey
* What a great book!!! I could not put this book down. Very funny from beginning to end with some great inside stories about SNL, 30 Rock and Tina Fey's childhood. I would recommend this to anyone especially working mothers.

Fair Ball by Bob Costas
* One of my favorite sportscasters of all time. He knows his baseball better than just about anyone this side of Peter Gammons. The book is a little dated, but it is amazing to read his insight.